Since baseball teams aren't generally broadcast nationally this makes a lot of sense.

CSB:Here in Central PA a few years back I bought the MLB Extra Innings package...once.

They blacked out the Phillies games, which was fine, since I had Comcast Sportsnet Philly, but they also blacked out the Orioles despite no MASN, the Nationals despite no MASN2 and -- yes -- the Pirates despite no Root Sports (this was all a few years back -- we have all those channels now).

Technically I am closer to Yankee Stadium and Citi Field than I am to the Pirates' stadium. I suppose I should have been thankful that Yankees and Mets games weren't blacked out, except they were when they played the Phillies, Orioles, Nationals and Pirates.

So, on any given night I had up to six National League teams off the list and two American League teams. I asked for a 25% discount and did manage to get 10% off.

I want the radio broadcasts. Every minor-league radio broadcast streams live for free through milb.com. I'm not likely to watch a regular season game when my team isn't playing, but if I'm in for a lot of driving I'll listen to any ballgame I can find.

CSB:Here in Central PA a few years back I bought the MLB Extra Innings package...once.

They blacked out the Phillies games, which was fine, since I had Comcast Sportsnet Philly, but they also blacked out the Orioles despite no MASN, the Nationals despite no MASN2 and -- yes -- the Pirates despite no Root Sports (this was all a few years back -- we have all those channels now).

Technically I am closer to Yankee Stadium and Citi Field than I am to the Pirates' stadium. I suppose I should have been thankful that Yankees and Mets games weren't blacked out, except they were when they played the Phillies, Orioles, Nationals and Pirates.

So, on any given night I had up to six National League teams off the list and two American League teams. I asked for a 25% discount and did manage to get 10% off.

/ripping yarn, old bean

My buddy has the same issue, he is located near rt 80 and gets NY, Pirates games, but no Phills. I live about 20 miles the way of the crow, and I only get the Phills and the occasional Mets and Yanks game on a Friday night NY local station. I have the Yes network,but they blackout their daily games.

"When time arrives for the blackouts to be lifted, those wishing to see the games in-market will likely do the same in providing a method to prove that are subscribed to see the games on their television provider before being able to see the games streamed online or via mobile device."

You'll still have to have a subscription to the local RSN. This just means you'll be able to watch those games on your computer, too.

Good. Their blackout rules are stupid. I can't see the game when my Pirates play the Nationals or the Orioles and I'm in Raleigh, NC. WTF? How can Raleigh be in-market for teams in DC and Baltimore? I know they're not on TV anywhere here.

IIRC, this is only applicable if you have a TV subscription. For people like me who canceled cable, it won't make a difference. I just use Unlocator for $5 per month. It also has the side benefit of getting me all of the Fox/FS1 UFC events on Fight Pass. The best thing is that as near as I can tell, it's perfectly legal. I'm still paying MLB/UFC for their content, it's just that their systems can't tell where I am.

WhackingDay:Good. Their blackout rules are stupid. I can't see the game when my Pirates play the Nationals or the Orioles and I'm in Raleigh, NC. WTF? How can Raleigh be in-market for teams in DC and Baltimore? I know they're not on TV anywhere here.

What other team do you propose they televise? Atlanta or Washington are the other 2 teams that they probably televise in that area. Perhaps they had a choice of AL or NL

I was seriously considering paying $100+ for mlb.tv (or whatever it is now)... then I read the article and saw that I'd still have to have cable to sign in. I wouldn't mind paying for MASN directly since the money supports my team (suck it, Nats!), but there's no way I'm paying Comcast over $100 per month for the tier that includes ESPN and the other sports channels. At least I live in Baltimore now, so I can go to games live or watch the random weekend games that they broadcast locally.

Hoopy Frood:I want the radio broadcasts. Every minor-league radio broadcast streams live for free through milb.com. I'm not likely to watch a regular season game when my team isn't playing, but if I'm in for a lot of driving I'll listen to any ballgame I can find.

Pretty sure you can get an audio only subscription for about $30 per year. IIRC the blackout rules are different too, although I'm in Canada so I don't seem to ever get blacked out. I listen to the Jays on my way home from work every day. It beats the hell out of music radio for killing the time.

I live in Iowa. The "home teams" in my area are the Twins, Royals, Cardinals, Brewers, White Sox, and Cubs. If none of them are playing each other, 40% of mlb games are blacked out for me. I'd love Bud Selig to come to my home and find every one of those games on tv without getting satellite.

CSB:Here in Central PA a few years back I bought the MLB Extra Innings package...once.

They blacked out the Phillies games, which was fine, since I had Comcast Sportsnet Philly, but they also blacked out the Orioles despite no MASN, the Nationals despite no MASN2 and -- yes -- the Pirates despite no Root Sports (this was all a few years back -- we have all those channels now).

Technically I am closer to Yankee Stadium and Citi Field than I am to the Pirates' stadium. I suppose I should have been thankful that Yankees and Mets games weren't blacked out, except they were when they played the Phillies, Orioles, Nationals and Pirates.

So, on any given night I had up to six National League teams off the list and two American League teams. I asked for a 25% discount and did manage to get 10% off.

/ripping yarn, old bean

I live in southcentral PA (Lancaster) and am in the same situation. Thankfully I buy it for the Red Sox, so I'll only lose the games against the Orioles or any interleague games against the other 3 teams.

JohnnyRebel88:WhackingDay: Good. Their blackout rules are stupid. I can't see the game when my Pirates play the Nationals or the Orioles and I'm in Raleigh, NC. WTF? How can Raleigh be in-market for teams in DC and Baltimore? I know they're not on TV anywhere here.

What other team do you propose they televise? Atlanta or Washington are the other 2 teams that they probably televise in that area. Perhaps they had a choice of AL or NL

That's the problem, they don't televise either. Maybe if the games are on the weekend, there's an outside chance they're on the Fox national game. And if they're actually on TV, I don't have a problem with the blackout.

WhackingDay:JohnnyRebel88: WhackingDay: Good. Their blackout rules are stupid. I can't see the game when my Pirates play the Nationals or the Orioles and I'm in Raleigh, NC. WTF? How can Raleigh be in-market for teams in DC and Baltimore? I know they're not on TV anywhere here.

What other team do you propose they televise? Atlanta or Washington are the other 2 teams that they probably televise in that area. Perhaps they had a choice of AL or NL

That's the problem, they don't televise either. Maybe if the games are on the weekend, there's an outside chance they're on the Fox national game. And if they're actually on TV, I don't have a problem with the blackout.

WhackingDay:Good. Their blackout rules are stupid. I can't see the game when my Pirates play the Nationals or the Orioles and I'm in Raleigh, NC. WTF? How can Raleigh be in-market for teams in DC and Baltimore? I know they're not on TV anywhere here.

They want you to call your TV provider and insist that they pick up the channels that DO carry Baltimore and DC. Really.

neon_god:Hoopy Frood: I want the radio broadcasts. Every minor-league radio broadcast streams live for free through milb.com. I'm not likely to watch a regular season game when my team isn't playing, but if I'm in for a lot of driving I'll listen to any ballgame I can find.

Pretty sure you can get an audio only subscription for about $30 per year. IIRC the blackout rules are different too, although I'm in Canada so I don't seem to ever get blacked out. I listen to the Jays on my way home from work every day. It beats the hell out of music radio for killing the time.

Yup, no blackout rules for audio. I've always been able to listen to local games but not be able to watch them on MLB.tv.

I would really like to watch legally, I really would. But if that requires me to give money to have TV that jacks up my fees arbitrarily on top of the internet, well, ad revenue to pirate streamers it is.

M AGRIPPA L F COS TERTIVM SCRIBIT:I was seriously considering paying $100+ for mlb.tv (or whatever it is now)... then I read the article and saw that I'd still have to have cable to sign in. I wouldn't mind paying for MASN directly since the money supports my team (suck it, Nats!), but there's no way I'm paying Comcast over $100 per month for the tier that includes ESPN and the other sports channels. At least I live in Baltimore now, so I can go to games live or watch the random weekend games that they broadcast locally.

Do what I do, get Apple TV for $99 and a good internet connection. Still have to pay the $149 annual for MLB.tv, but it's nice to have it on TV, iPhone or iPad where I go.